Monkeypox Cases Are Increasing, Please Immediately Intensify Mpox Vaccination

Monkeypox vaccines need to be prepared immediately to stir up wider spread. (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives highlighted the discovery of a monkeypox (Mpox) case in DKI Jakarta. The DPR also encouraged the Government to intensify vaccinations to the public considering the discovery of cases of Mpox virus infection continues to increase.

"The House of Representatives Commission IX urges the Government to be quick to make efforts to prevent and control monkeypox disease. With careful efforts and effective acceleration, we hope to prevent the spread of the Mpox virus," said a member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Arzeti Bilbina, Tuesday, October 25.

Positive cases of monkeypox are reported to continue to increase. The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) reported positive cases or confirmed Mpox increased to 9 cases per day since it was first reported on October 13, 2023. Now there are a total of 10 Mpox cases since they were first confirmed in mid-2022, all of which are in DKI Jakarta.

Meanwhile, 7 positive patients are active with the monkeypox virus, all of whom are men who are vulnerable to age 25 to 35 years. Transmission occurs from human to human through direct contact with body fluids or skin lesions of infected people.

Reflecting on this data, Arzeti emphasized the need for quick response efforts to stop the spread of monkeypox. One of them is by giving the Mpox vaccine to the public to protect the body's resistance so that it is not easily infected with the virus.

"The vaccine stock must also be watched out for, there should be no shortages. Vaccination is an anticipatory step so that this disease does not continue to spread. And prioritize people who fall into the category of the most risky population," said Arzeti.

The legislator from the East Java I electoral district supports the DKI Provincial Government's move to form a contact tracing team for the Mpox case. According to Arzeti, tracing efforts can prevent the transmission of the Mpox smallpox virus from getting bigger.

"With the right and thorough tracing, I believe this step can be a quick move so that patients infected with monkeypox can be immediately identified and handled medically. Tracing can also break the chain of virus spread," he explained.

All active cases of monkeypox are currently undergoing isolation and treatment at the hospital. The Mpox healing process is estimated to take about two to three weeks. Health facilities (Faskes) are also reminded to be prepared to deal with suspected monkeypox patients.

"In addition to ensuring that patient care can be maximized, health facilities preparedness and medical personnel are needed to avoid the spread of the virus," said Arzeti.

"And for patient close contacts, the tracing team through the Puskesmas must closely monitor it. If there are indications of infection, it must be examined immediately, and handled further," he continued.

Arzeti also asked the Government to be careful about the spread of the monkeypox virus, especially in the Jakarta area. Do not let the case of monkeypox soar in a short time, such as the Covid-19 virus.

"We already have valuable lessons when Covid is in disease control, one of which is to be aware of the arrival of people from abroad. The team formed must also monitor the movements of migrants, especially those who have a high risk profile of this virus," said Arzeti.

The spread of monkeypox cases is one of which is triggered by transmission through risky sex. Symptoms that arise from Mpox patients are lesions and red rashes, followed by fever, enlargement of lymph nodes, sore throat, myalgia, rash, and difficulty swallowing.

"So education and socialization to the public regarding monkeypox is absolutely necessary. Although perhaps the case is mild, if not anticipated carefully, it can turn this disease into an endemic. We don't want this to happen," said Arzeti.

Socialization and education that need to be done also include the importance of maintaining the health of the reproductive department well and being loyal to each other with your partner. Moreover, according to the Ministry of Health, the majority of positive patients with monkeypox are People with HIV (ODHIV) and have bisexual orientation.

Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives in charge of health affairs also reminded the risks of changing partners and same-sex relationships because it could increase the potential for transmission of the Mpox virus. Therefore, Arzeti assessed that coordination across ministries and institutions is very important to work together to overcome the spread of monkeypox.

"The Ministry of Health can cooperate with various ministries/agencies such as the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, even the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN)," he explained.

"Socialization and education about the dangers of having sex and changing partners are very important to be encouraged to avoid the potential increase in monkeypox transmission," added Arzeti.

Not only that, education about the risk of relationships with opportunities for transmission of the monkeypox virus also needs to be conveyed massively to the public. Arzeti reminded that sexual intercourse is carried out safely, healthily, and cleanly.

"Anticipating it is better than having to treat it because this disease can cause complications," said the member of the House of Representatives' Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency (BKSAP).

Monkeypox generally causes flu-like symptoms in the form of fever, headache, and chills. In addition, monkeypox sufferers also show symptoms similar to smallpox such as rashes that spread throughout the body.

However, in cases of monkeypox which is more severe for sufferers, they can experience complications such as Encephalitis or inflammation of the brain, Pneumonia (pulmonary inflammation), and Keratitis (inflammation of eye cornea). Complication of disease causes death.

"So we can't mess around with the spread of this virus. Be alert and always anticipate by not doing things that can cause monkeypox infection," said Arzeti.

Furthermore, Arzeti appealed to the public to continue to apply a clean and healthy lifestyle to wear masks when doing activities. Then get used to the culture of washing hands with running water and soap, as well as avoiding skin contact and wounds.

"Because monkeypox can be transmitted through phlegm, sneezing or saliva. So using a mask will be more efficient in preventing the spread of this disease," he concluded.